What To Do With All That Old Makeup

First of all – let’s be clear, I am NOT crafty! And I have never tried (and probably never will) to make my own stuff. But, I am a minimalist and hate old makeup (or anything else for that matter), I don’t use anymore, laying around. So, thanks to Adriana Boyce-Smith, an eHow Contributing Writer, you can try to make your own stuff.

I’ve posted Adriana’s instructions below (let me know how it goes), but before we start, I have a second option for what to do with old makeup: Bring in your old makeup or skincare product and I’ll give you 10% off something brand new! For those out of the area, mention this post and I’ll give you 10% off a mail order. This offer will not expire – so if you’re reading this post two months from now, the offer stands.

Alright. Let’s get back to the DIY makeup…

If you’re like most women, you have a stash of old lipsticks, loose and broken eyeshadow, powdered blush, empty makeup pots, perfume with only a few drops left, and various odds and ends you spent good money on!

Rather than throwing it all away, why not reuse or recycle your old makeup? And how about calling a gal-pal to bring hers for twice the fun? :o)

Spread newspaper over your work area, with plenty of paper towels nearby for mess control. Clean out little containers that you can put your creations in, like old lip-gloss, chap-stick, and eyeshadow pots.

Create your own cream eyeshadow and lip-gloss. Crush old eyeshadow using the end of a spoon to make a fine powder. In a microwaveable bowl, mix the powder with petroleum jelly and heat for 10 seconds. Use your favorite nude, pink, or brown colors for the lip gloss, and bright colors for the cream eyeshadow.

Create your own lip gloss using old lipstick. In the microwave, melt together the ends of your favorite lipsticks and some petroleum jelly in a microwaveable bowl. You may come up with colors you love! Bobbi Brown – eat your heart out!

Make a bronzer by combining broken powder compacts or loose face powder with leftover gold or brown eyeshadow. Crush the colors together to a light and powdery finish. If you don’t wear bronzer, adding leftover powder to a facial moisturizer will result in a slightly tinted moisturizer.

Rather than throwing away your old bottles of perfume, mix the last drops with an unscented lotion to make a hydrating perfumed lotion.